Saturday, March 31, 2012

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

We begin, with industromilitary encouragement, to think like Psalm 144 so long ago, that God’s solidly our rock and deliverer. Yet this psalm moves on to a distant Almighty God who brings mankind to truer mindfulness within, questioning his significance before God: “. . . what is man that thou dost regard him. . . . Man is like a breath, his days are like a passing shadow.”(Timed) King David praises their ultimate champion, because of [the] Israelites’ faith in Him. Faith in justice by oppressed Jews is marvelous, Arab Spring uprisings too, but do they still get justice, or grace, fighting?

Yahweh avenges through pestilence, and finally dead firstborn. Only then Moses, with the Israelites, angrily leaves Pharaoh. God is evidently just, and decisively giving a new Time to them; here’s no Arab Spring, but Massive Resistance, when God did command distantly to their leader —training them to wait, pack, vacate.

2 Corinthians: “Since we have the same (age-old) spirit of faith, as he had who wrote, ‘I believed, and so I spoke’” (referencing Psalm 144: “I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’”) Paul adds: “our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an internal weight of glory beyond all comparison . . . things that are unseen are eternal.” On the scales (Justice), the eternal glory within us will outweigh “our outer nature.” So it is with Anne and all our dear ones who have died in faith and personal affliction; so “as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving.” That grace raises unified voices in praise.

Be careful: Bartimaeus, a blind roadside panhandler, called out for Jesus’ mercy. Many shushed him for his disunified voice—think Downtown Mall. Resistance. Louder. Jesus stopped. Looked. Listened. For Bartomaeus’ faith, He gave sight. Note Bartimaeus, upon receiving sight, joining that crowd.

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Introduction to Lenten devotions

The meditations in this Lenten Devotional Guide were written by the members and friends of St. Paul’s Memorial Church. They honor our mutual commitment to lifelong spiritual formation. The authors include parishioners of all ages, students at the University of Virginia, St. Paul’s clergy, and people of other denominations whose lives have been touched by, or connected with, St. Paul’s. Inspired by the Scripture readings each day, every offering is original and reflects the thoughts, interpretations, and feelings of the author. We hope that these meditations will help guide your journey through the Holy Season of Lent. May our lives be enriched as we share our understandings in these offerings.